Manufacturing

Jim MacPherson from the Chicago Tribune: One ironic aspect of the pending sale of the Saturn Division by General Motors to Roger Penske has received little, if any, media attention. In one fell swoop, General Motors will create what automakers have spent decades trying to avoid: a significant independent dealer group that can negotiate with automakers from a position of power on matters governing pricing, vehicle features, and design.

Melissa Domsic from the Lansing State Journal: Hundreds of idled General Motors workers will be back on the line at the Lansing Delta Township plant by the end of summer. GM said Friday that 900 laid-off union workers will return to their jobs at the assembly plant by the end of August when a second shift is brought back.

As expected, GM filed for bankruptcy protection this morning in a New York based Bankruptcy Court. Fritz Henderson, GM's CEO, told reporters that "Our agreement with the U.S. Treasury and the governments of Canada and Ontario will create a leaner, quicker more customer-and completely product-focused company, one that's more cost competitive and has a competitive balance sheet. This new GM will be built from the strongest parts of our business, including our best brands and products."

G. Chambers Williams III from the Tennessean: GM and the government task force must agree by June 1 which of the automaker's remaining factories will close as it moves to become a smaller, more-efficient company. Spring Hill could be on the hit list, but no one will know until GM is ready to announce its newest round of plant closings, which could come as early as this week.

In a morning press conference, GM's President and CEO, Fritz Henderson, updated the media on the state of the financially tapped company. He also added another interesting twist to the ongoing Saturn saga. According to Consumer Reports, "Henderson said GM would entertain offers on Saturn manufacturing plants and models in addition to the dealer and distribution network."

Bill Theobald from the Tennessean: Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker got a chance to pitch for survival of the Spring Hill plant during a meeting Wednesday with new General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson. The carmaker is planning to close several more plants, shed another 21,000 jobs, and dump its Pontiac brand as part of a restructuring designed to win further taxpayer support.

Sam Abuelsamid from AutoBlog: General Motors chief financial officer Ray Young held a conference call with bloggers to discuss the announcements made by CEO Fritz Henderson this morning. With whole brands and car lines being terminated in the coming months, it's clear that many more plants will be closed, but no further details have been announced.

Jamie LaReau Automotive News: GM is trying to find a new vehicle supplier for Saturn by September 1, General Manager Jill Lajdziak said in a broadcast to dealers last week, according to some participating dealers. Meantime, Saturn executives will entertain proposals through May from investors to acquire Saturn, the dealers say. Investors also could be manufacturers that could supply vehicles.

From the Associated Press: Delaware Govenor Jack Markell has spoken with a top General Motors official but doesn't have any details on the future of the struggling automaker's Wilmington plant. GM is announcing it will cut 21,000 U.S. jobs by next year and phase out its Pontiac brand. The Wilmington plant makes two versions of the Pontiac Solstice, along with two other sports cars, the Saturn Sky and Opel GT roadster.

From the News Journal: Joe Riccio, shop chairman for United Auto Workers Local 435, said workers at the Boxwood Road factory were upset that they first learned about the shutdowns from news reports. "We were worried that there was going to be a long, drawn-out shutdown over this thing," Riccio said.